Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Megan Brower | Sector Puget Sound reserve workforce members pose for a group photo after being...... read more read more
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U.S. Coast Guard’s Sector Puget Sound has been named the 2025 recipient of the Rear Adm. Bennett “Bud” Sparks Award, recognizing it as the top unit in support of and operationally ready Coast Guard Reserve force among units with 100 or more Selected Reserve (SELRES) members.
The award, presented annually by the Reserve Organization of America, honors a unit that demonstrates outstanding practical use and support of its Reserve component. This year’s winner known for its operational excellence, training focus, and rapid mobilization capabilities stood out in both planned operations and crisis response.
“It’s exciting," said Lt. Terri J. Pierce of Sector Puget Sound’s Force Readiness Division. "This reflects our individual and collective efforts as a Reserve program to maintain readiness, pursue training and qualifications, and most importantly, to make a positive contribution to the Coast Guard’s missions."
Located in Seattle, the unit faces a complex maritime operating environment. Its area of responsibility includes 125 miles of maritime border with Canada, offering unique mission opportunities for reservist to train and operate shoulder-to shoulder with their Active-Duty counterparts.
“Our reservists contribute to national security everyday conducting boardings, container inspections, responding to pollution incidents, performing critical maintenance, and providing real-time intelligence support,” said Pierce. “This type of environment truly enhances Reserve readiness.”
One of the unit’s standout achievements came during the 2024 hurricane season. In October, following a request from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for support in response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Sector Puget Sound mobilized ten reservists on short notice. Volunteers reported first to Grapevine, Texas, then deployed to North Carolina and Florida. These members worked alongside nine federal and state agencies to coordinate critical supplies and resources for distressed communities. The unique mission required them to report directly to FEMA’s Personnel Mobilization Center, receive in theater training, and deploy using FEMA’s Deployment Tracking System.
“This was a powerful opportunity to apply not just operational training, but also interpersonal and team building skills,” said Pierce. “Our reservists quickly adapted and excelled in a joint-agency environment, reinforcing the value of Reserve capabilities in disaster response.”
Whether supporting border security or mobilizing for national emergencies, Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound continues to demonstrate what readiness looks like in action delivering mission critical results while setting the gold standard for Reserve integration and effectiveness.
The Rear Admiral Bennett “Bud” Sparks Unit Award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of Sector Puget Sound’s Force Readiness Division. Their achievements exemplify the spirit of the Coast Guard Reserve and set a high standard for others to follow. Congratulations to the entire team for their well-deserved recognition and continued excellence in service to our nation.
| Date Taken: | 11.15.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 12.04.2025 20:02 |
| Story ID: | 551209 |
| Location: | SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 21 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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